Over the coming weeks, students will begin selecting their courses for 2027. This is an exciting opportunity to start thinking about future pathways, interests, and goals. We encourage all families to take the time to discuss these choices together, as the decisions made now have a significant impact on next year's learning.

To support students and whānau in making informed decisions, there are a range of resources and people available to help. Information about courses and pathways can be found on SchoolBridge and the Rutherford Study website. 

Early in Term 3, we will also hold our Parent Student Subject Teacher (PSST) Evening, where students and families can speak directly with teachers and learn more about the pathways open to them. At the same time, our Careers Expo will be running in the school hall, bringing together universities, tertiary providers, industry representatives, employers, and training organisations. This gives students and whānau the opportunity to explore a wide range of career and study options, ask questions, and see how today's subject choices can open doors to future opportunities. 

Students are also encouraged to seek advice from the many people who know them well. Our Tutor Teachers, Classroom Teachers, Careers Department,  Deans and Academic Deans,are all available to help students consider their strengths, interests, aspirations, and future pathways before making their selections.

It is important to understand that course selections are not simply an indication of interest. Student choices are used to build our timetable, determine the number of classes required, allocate teaching staff, and plan resources across the school. With continued roll growth and increasing demand for some subjects, changing courses after selections have been finalised is becoming much more difficult. Choosing carefully now gives us the best opportunity to provide students with the courses they have selected. 

Another important change to be aware of is the implementation of the new National Qualification System. Senior courses are designed as full-year programmes, with teaching and assessment spread across the year. Success relies on students engaging from the beginning, rather than joining partway through or changing courses later in the year. As a result, changing courses will mean students miss important learning and assessment opportunities.

When selecting courses, we encourage students to:

• Consider their interests, strengths, and future aspirations.
• Read the course information carefully, some will have pre requisites 
  
• Explore the information available on SchoolBridge and the Rutherford Study website.
• Attend the PSST Evening with their whānau.
  
• Talk with their Tutor Teacher, Classroom Teachers, Careers team, or Academic Deans.
• Discuss their choices at home before submitting them.
  

The more care we take now, the more likely your child will be in the right course from Day One, ready to make the most of the learning opportunities and assessment programme throughout the year. As course selections are used to create our timetable and determine staffing well before the end of the year, changes after this process has begun are often very difficult to accommodate. 

Thank you for partnering with us to support your child's future. We look forward to working with you throughout the course selection process to ensure every student is well placed for a successful 2027.

Use the resources below to help you plan your subject choices for 2027 and beyond.